School of Journalism & Media

Student-Produced Documentary Batmite Set to Premiere at Film Fest Knox

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The Film Fest Knox poster for Batmite, a student-produced documentary about the Knoxville skating community. The film will premier at the Film Fest Knox Festival on Nov. 17, 2024 in the Regal Riviera movie theater.

After moving to Knoxville, senior Emma Caskill was looking for a way to get plugged into the local skating community.

This led to the discovery of the skateboard store Pluto Sports. There she met its owner Brian Beauchene. Caskill enjoyed learning about the history of skating in Knoxville from Beauchene, who since the 1980s has been at the forefront of advocating for local skaters and … Read more “Student-Produced Documentary Batmite Set to Premiere at Film Fest Knox”

School Of Journalism and Media Alumni, Faculty Celebrate Broadcasting Awards Together 

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School of Journalism and Media alumni and faculty won several awards at the 2024 Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Awards in August. Pictured from the left are: alumna Caroline Mueller (’24), Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (’09), and alumna Nicki Marker (’24). with their trophies.

Alumna Nicki Marker (‘24) was leaving the stage at the 2024 Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Awards when the next award was announced and the winner’s name was one very familiar to the WHNT News multimedia reporter. 

Marker won the Horizon Award for Best Up-and-Coming Radio or Television Reporter or Personality but her excitement grew when … Read more “School Of Journalism and Media Alumni, Faculty Celebrate Broadcasting Awards Together ”

Students Get Hands-on Experience Covering Adaptive Sports at the 2024 Paralympics

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School of Journalism and Media student Griffin Hadley interviewing athletes at the 2024 Paralympic Games for USA TODAY

Senior Griffin Hadley was first exposed to the sport of goalball while visiting the Philippines with the VOLeaders Academy at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A year later, the School of Journalism and Media major and Tennessee Vol swimmer would be in Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games producing an explainer video for the USA TODAY Network to introduce others to this unique and possible “new favorite” sport.

“In the middle of a trip where I was fully immersed in adaptive sports, learning … Read more “Students Get Hands-on Experience Covering Adaptive Sports at the 2024 Paralympics”

‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’: Students Report On The 2024 Paralympic Games For USA TODAY

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The School of Journalism and Media partnered with the USA TODAY Network to cover the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France this summer.

School of Journalism and Media junior and sports writer Gabriel Jackson was sitting in the press box at the Place de la Concorde reporting on the 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremonies in Paris, France.

He was taking notes for his story when the French national team walked in and the crowd erupted in cheers and song.

He stopped.

“I just wanted to enjoy it,” he said.

That was the moment it all sunk in for Jackson. He … Read more “‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’: Students Report On The 2024 Paralympic Games For USA TODAY”

CCI Faculty Present At ICA Conference; Iannocone Earns Top Thesis/Dissertation Award

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Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations Assistant Professor Jeannettee Iannacone was honored with the James E. Grunig and Larissa A. Grunig Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Award at the 2024 International Communication Association Conference (ICA).

Iannacone was part of a group of College of Communication and Information doctoral students and faculty members from the Tombras School and the School of Journalism and Media (JEM) representing the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, at the prestigious conference in June.

JEMa Assistant Professor Mustafa Oz said ICA is a highly important conference in the communication field, attracting thousands of academics and scholars from around … Read more “CCI Faculty Present At ICA Conference; Iannocone Earns Top Thesis/Dissertation Award”

Students Cover 2024 US Paralympic Track and Field Team Trials For USA TODAY

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Three School of Journalism and Media students covered the 2024 US Paralympic Team Trials – Track and Field in July for USA TODAY ahead of traveling to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Pictured from left are Catherine Ligon, Avery Bane, and Gabriel Jackson.

“Never in a million years.”

Those are the odds School of Journalism and Media major Catherine Ligon would have guessed if asked about her chances of being published in USA TODAY prior to this summer.

However, that all changed for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, junior last month.

“It was really humbling.I got super excited when … Read more “Students Cover 2024 US Paralympic Track and Field Team Trials For USA TODAY”

Students Learn About British Sporting Culture In London Over The Summer

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Shannon Upton knew studying abroad would benefit her greatly in the future.

This led the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations senior to search for the right experience. Her pursuit led her to the School of Journalism and Media’s Sports Communication in the UK study abroad program. 

The annual program provides students with real-world experiences in sports journalism and sports communication all while immersing them in British sports culture and history.

“My overall experience of the program was great,” Upton said. “If it wasn’t for this trip, I would not have met some of my best friends and would … Read more “Students Learn About British Sporting Culture In London Over The Summer”

‘Chronicling History’: Alums, Students Document Tennessee Baseball First National Title

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The Daily Beacon released a special issue to commemorate Tennessee baseball winning its first Men’s College World Series title in June.

After the Tennessee Vols defeated Florida State University to advance to the championship game at the 2024 Men’s College World Series Finals, it started to sink in for The Daily Beacon sports editor Caleb Jarreau that he may have the opportunity to cover history.

Fast forward to the final game on June 24 and Jarreau’s stomach was in knots all day. He felt the pressure to write the best stories ever if Tennessee won.

However, when pitcher Aaron Combs … Read more “‘Chronicling History’: Alums, Students Document Tennessee Baseball First National Title”

Alumna Nikki Burdine Uses Journalism Platform To Advocate For Others

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“It was the scariest and best day of my life.”

That’s how School of Journalism and Media alumna and co-anchor of WKRN’s Good Morning Nashville Nikki Burdine (’05) described the birth of her first child Andi.

Burdine gave birth to Andi twenty-eight weeks into her pregnancy—far from full-term. She weighed just one pound, four ounces.

Due to her size, Burdine’s daughter was considered a ‘micro-preemie’, and Andi’s first few weeks of life were spent in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

One day while visiting Andi in the NICU, Burdine ran into a close friend who was also visiting her … Read more “Alumna Nikki Burdine Uses Journalism Platform To Advocate For Others”